Courtney Hodges

General Courtney Hicks Hodges (5 January 1887 – 16 January 1966) was a decorated senior officer in the United States Army who commanded First U.S. Army in the Western European Campaign of World War II. Hodges was a notable "mustang" officer, rising from private to general.

Born in Perry, Georgia, he began studies at the United States Military Academy but dropped out after being found deficient in geometry. He joined the Army in 1906, rose through the non-commissioned officer ranks, and obtained a commission after passing a competitive examination in 1909. As a young man, Hodges served under John J. Pershing in the Pancho Villa Expedition and became part of the first rescue mission in U.S. military aviation history when he helped save a stranded aviator. He was a battalion commander in France during World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism.

In 1943, he was sent to England to serve under General Omar Bradley. Hodges was the deputy commander of the First Army during the D-Day invasion. Two months later, he was appointed the First Army's commander. Under Hodges, First Army had 18 divisions, the most under the immediate command of any general in the European theater of World War II. The First Army liberated Paris, was the first Allied army to enter Germany, and cut Nazi Germany in two by advancing east to link up with Soviet forces who advanced west.